take apart

English

take apart (third-person singular simple present takes apart, present participle taking apart, simple past took apart, past participle taken apart)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take,‎ apart.
1. To dismantle something into its component pieces.
  I carefully took the clock mechanism apart to clean it.
2. To move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.
  - 1868, Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge:
    ....then went close up to him, and took him apart into a dark corner. "I say," he began, with a thoughtful brow, "haven't I seen you before
(informal) To soundly defeat someone, or a (sport) team.
- 2001, by Orson Scott Card, Shadow of the Hegemon, page 143:
  And besides, I was also enjoying the way you took them apart. You know, arguing with them like you did.
- 2023 March 5, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:
  Argentine defender Martinez, normally so reliable and combative, was taken apart, especially when Salah led him a merry dance to set up Gakpo to settle the game with Liverpool's third five minutes after half-time.
Synonym: tear apart
to criticise someone
- 2007, Frank Luntz, Words That Work, page 150:
  For nearly an hour, I took them apart for failing to understand, connect with, empathize with, and listen to the American people.?

dismantle — see dismantle

defeat — see defeat

criticise — see criticise